Sunday, August 28 2005 16:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kabul: Asserting that improvement in Indo-Pak relations was a "necessity" for the region, Afghan President Hamid Karzai today (Aug 28, 2005) hoped it would lead to opening up of transit routes for India to Afghanistan through Pakistan.

At a joint press conference here with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Karzai said he had raised the transit issue with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf who had responded "positively".

"President Musharraf had discussed this issue in a very positive way," Karzai said adding "it was not a negative response. But I don't know how long it will take."

Karzai said, "Improvement in relations between India and Pakistan is a necessity for this whole region and overtakes every other consideration". The Afghan President hoped that there would be further progress in Indo-Pak peace talks and "this wish and vision will become a reality."

On the issue of terrorism emanating from Pakistan, he said, there has been co-operation from Islamabad in fighting the scourge. "All of us India, Pakistan and Afghanistan need to join hands to fight this global menace."